DEGREE PROGRAMS IN ORGAN OFFERED AT BYU

“Those who complete the requirements for the performance and pedagogy degree are prepared for professional work as a performer, a studio teacher, or a combination of both. Some will pursue advanced work on the graduate level to prepare for a performance career or college teaching.” (Brigham Young University Bulletin: 1992-93 General Catalogue, p. 228.)

Aside from the basic music core requirements, undergraduate majors in organ performance and pedagogy receive intensive training in organ performance, registration, keyboard skills, accompanying and ensemble performance, organ pedagogy (teaching), organ literature, and church music playing skills. Those pursuing a dual emphasis in piano and organ also study piano performance, literature, and pedagogy. The baccalaureate degrees are designed as four-year programs.

Graduate students in organ performance and pedagogy receive training in music research techniques, organ performance, ensemble performance, organ literature, advanced keyboard harmony, organ pedagogy and supervised teaching, and church service playing skills. The master’s degree is designed as a 2-year program.

One may pursue a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Music with organ as the primary instrument. However, only the Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degree is offered in performance and pedagogy with an emphasis in organ.

Organ as a Foundation for Advanced Music Degrees

The Bachelor of Music in Performance and Pedagogy leads to the Master of Music in Performance and Pedagogy at BYU and equivalent performance-oriented master’s degree programs at universities, music schools and conservatories throughout the country. In addition, it qualifies as a prerequisite for master’s degree programs in music education, musicology, and composition.

The Master of Music in Performance and Pedagogy serves as a prerequisite for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree and for many Ph.D. programs in music.

Organ as a Foundation for Advanced Non-Music Degrees

“The music major may pursue a broad liberal education with a concentration in music or specialize in an area such as composition, performance, or teaching. Those who successfully complete an undergraduate degree are prepared to obtain a number of professional positions within the field of music or to continue music on the graduate level. Because the music curriculum is rigorous, it is an excellent pre-professional course of study for those interested in fields such as arts administration, business, law, librarianship, the music industry, music journalism, and music therapy.” (Brigham Young University Bulletin: 1992-93 General Catalogue, p. 228.)

A degree in organ performance and pedagogy is an excellent undergraduate preparation for the many non-music graduate degrees. It is preferred, in fact, that preparatory degrees for those listed below and other graduate degree programs be in a different field from the graduate degree. A few such possibilities are given:

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Law degree (Juris Doctorate)

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Combined law and business degree (Juris Doctorate plus a Master of Business Administration- JDMBA)

Music rivals any discipline as a wonderful preparation for a field of study in which logic and creative thinking may be used–philosophy, organizational behavior, counseling, social work, psychology, etc.